Reference Number: 100
Year: 2015
Link: Link to original paper
Health: Colitis | Crohns | FODMAPS
Nutrition: Fibre
Intolerance & Sensitivity: FODMAPS
Summary
Introduction
Prebiotic inulin-type fructans are widely consumed in the diet and may have contrasting effects in Crohn’s disease by stimulating gut microbiota and/or by generating functional gastrointestinal symptoms.
Aim
The aim of this study was to measure fructan and oligofructose intakes in patients with active and inactive Crohn’s disease compared with healthy controls.
Methods
Patients with active Crohn’s disease (n = 98), inactive Crohn’s (n = 99) and healthy controls (n = 106) were recruited to a case–control study.Dietary intake of inulin-type fructans was measured using a food frequency questionnaire and was compared between the three groups and between patients with different disease phenotypes (Montreal classi cation). Associations between intakes and disease activity (Harvey–Bradshaw Index, HBI) were also undertaken.Results: Patients with active Crohn’s disease had lower fructan intakes (median 2.9 g/d, interquartile range [IQR] 1.8) than those with inactive Crohn’s (3.6 g/d, 2.1, p = 0.036) or controls (3.9 g/d, 2.1, p = 0.003) and lower oligofructose intakes (2.8 g/d, 1.8) than those with inactive Crohn’s (3.5 g/d, 2.2, p = 0.048) or controls (3.8 g/d, 2.1, p = 0.003).
Results
There were no differences in intakes related to disease site or behaviour. There were negative correlations between HBI well-being score and fructan intake (p = 0.03) and oligofructose intake (p = 0.028) and for the HBI abdominal pain score and fructan (p = 0.021) and oligofructose intake (p = 0.027).
Conclusions
Patients with active Crohn’s disease consume lower quantities of fructans and oligofructose than their inactive counterparts and healthy controls.The impact of lower intakes of prebiotic fructans on gut microbiota is unknown and warrants further research.